Future Food-Tech San Francisco
What GLP‑1 users need: Food, nutrition and CPG innovation
An evolving class of GLP-1 medications rewrites the rules of appetite – giving food companies their biggest innovation challenge in decades
Snacks
Big Food’s big sell off: Who’s cutting loose and who’s cashing in
From shock splits to billion‑dollar buyouts, Big Food is making big changes. Here’s what’s driving the chaos, who’s cashing in, and who could be next
The ‘cookie economy’ in 7 bites
Premium bakery is booming as indulgent formats, viral brands and shifting consumer habits push prices and expectations higher
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Clean label drives protein innovation – from seaweed stabilizers to yeast‑based alternatives
Ingredient innovators are using macroalgae and microbial fermentation to reshape the future of clean‑label, high‑functionality protein products
Texture innovation: Confectionery’s next frontier
From freeze‑dried sweets to ultra‑indulgent chocolate, texture is taking centre stage
Natural Products Expo West
Letter from the editor: Can packaged food rediscover its innovative edge?
Natural Products Expo West reveals an industry playing it safe, while searching for its next big breakthrough as economic pressures, shifting consumer expectations and regulatory uncertainty converge
16 trends at Expo West: Convenience, function and ‘feel good’ food redefines innovation and marketing
From packaging breakthroughs and GLP-1-friendly formulations to regenerative claims and sensory-driven products, brands are balancing health, sustainability and indulgence in a rapidly evolving market
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Peptides move from fringe biohacks to functional food frontier
As demand surges for targeted health solutions, Nuritas’ Nora Khaldi discusses how AI is transforming peptide discovery, and why food and beverage may be the industry’s next big play
Easter shopping trends in 2026: Darker, smaller, last minute
Easter shopping is shifting towards premium, playful and last-minute purchases
Kraft Heinz shares tumble as investor uncertainty grows
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
Natural Products Expo West
Predictive data reveals the next wave of performance-driven wellness trends in food
Insights from Spate reveal consumers want functional, low-sugar and benefit-packed food and beverages that fit easily into their lives
Can brands cut sugar without killing taste, texture or trust?
As sugar shifts from ingredient to liability, food and drink manufacturers are rebuilding sweetness from the ground up using rare sugars, fibres and fermentation-driven innovation
How snacks are cashing in on the low/no alcohol trend
Gen Z might be easing off the booze, but it’s crisps, cheese and protein-packed nibbles that are quietly keeping things interesting
Women's History Month
Women are growing food & beverage by reshaping the industry to be more equitable
In honor of Women’s History Month, we explore how women founders are leveraging networks, funding strategies, and resilience to build thriving businesses
Bel Group levels up: New protein cheese hits shelves as brand doubles production
Babybel is supercharging its US growth with a $200 million South Dakota capacity expansion just as its new protein‑and‑probiotic Babybel Pro hits mass retail, staking an early claim in the fast‑rising functional snacking space
4 market opportunities revealed by Mintel Most Innovative winners
When supply chain snarls and cautious consumers dominate, winners focus on health, convenience and mindful indulgence
Campbell’s snack gamble meets a tougher consumer
Snack weakness forced Campbell’s to cut its outlook after a difficult quarter, with the company admitting performance in the category fell short of expectations even as its premium Rao’s brand continued to surge
How GLP-1s are reshaping product innovation
For product developers, designing GLP-1 friendly foods will require new sensory approaches, emotional metrics and new nutritional architectures
Expo West brands embrace ‘sensemaxxing’ with layered textures, bold flavors and playful formats
Brands at Expo West showcased snacks engineered for crunch, chew and snap, layering textures and subtle flavors to deliver bigger sensory experiences in smaller bites
Buffett bets on Kraft Heinz as shock split suspended
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway signals support for Kraft Heinz, following separation update
Snack sales hold steady despite GLP-1 weight loss surge
USDA data shows snack units sold remain stable through 2024, even as prescription rates for GLP-1 drugs climb, suggesting opportunity – and caution – for snack manufacturers targeting shifting consumer diets
Bakery, snacks and cereals: The next cost shock may start in the Gulf
Geopolitics rarely stays confined to energy markets. Sooner or later, it reaches the food system
National Snack Day: Inside the billion-dollar brands refusing to slow down
From Oreo’s $4bn global machine to Uncrustables’ rapid ascent, the snack aisle’s biggest names are banking billions and still investing like challengers
Iran Conflict: What does this mean for global food sector?
The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat
More with less: Hormel and Utz downsize to grow efficiently
Strategic downsizing at Hormel, Utz and peers shows how fewer brands and plants can unlock efficiency, margin expansion and sustainable growth in packaged food
Ferrero’s next move: Reshaping confectionery and snacking
From premiumisation to supply-chain control, Ferrero’s strategy is redefining the competitive landscape
Flavour first, fibre close behind: Bakery resets for 2026
Bakery’s next growth phase won’t be driven by a single mega-trend, but by flavour authority, fibre credibility and formats that make everyday indulgence feel justified
Opinion
The ultra-processed foods debate has nuance - let’s recognise it
To understand how processing affects food consumption, don’t caricature either side of the debate
Blurred lines: Confectionery and sports nutrition collide in snacking revolution
From protein‑packed chocolate bars to big‑brand collaborations, sports nutrition and confectionery are merging fast
Inside the $330bn functional food frenzy fuelled by PepsiCo, Coke & Nestlé
From PepsiCo to Nestlé, global giants are racing to cash in on the booming functional food craze, but with trends shifting fast, the stakes have never been higher
Gen Z is rewriting the value playbook for bakery and snack brands
Gen Z’s mix of wellness, value-seeking, and indulgence is reshaping global bakery and snack strategies, demanding brands adapt fast to stay relevant.
FDA greenlights plant-based egg protein as industry rebuilds after bird flu
The FDA’s GRAS notification clears Plantible Foods to scale production of its RuBisCO-based egg alternative as demand for sustainable, functional proteins grows
Kraft Heinz details $600M investment plan to reignite US growth, scale global ‘blueprints’
Kraft Heinz outlined a $600 million investment plan across pricing, R&D, marketing and sales to revive US market share, accelerate innovation and scale successful models from Canada, Europe and emerging markets.
PepsiCo plays ‘offense’ to transform portfolio for health-conscious consumers
CEO Ramon Laguarta outlines plans to reduce sugar and sodium, boost protein and fiber, and “restage” core brands to drive higher value per consumption
General Mills lowers sales expectations but expands its playbook to win back consumers
The packaged food giant is banking on bolder taste, functional nutrition and smarter packaging to offset weak cereal and snack demand
Fancy Faire
6 trends redefining spicy beyond extreme heat to reach new consumers
From sweet-heat pairings and clean-label innovation to global flavor exploration and softer packaging cues, brands are transforming spicy into an everyday, elevated experience
Comfort isn’t enough anymore: Why nostalgia now needs a thrill
Comfort food now needs an edge
Ingredients Compendium No 2: Trehalose
The little-known functional sugar gaining ground across food categories
As manufacturers grapple with sugar reduction, texture loss and longer shelf-life demands, trehalose is emerging as a functional ingredient to watch in 2026
Whole food now at the heart of US nutrition policy
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines focus on federal programs and procurement to drive whole-food consumption and reduce ultra-processed foods nationwide
From breakfast staple to cultural treat: The reframing of sugary cereals in a MAHA era
Sugary cereals are no longer breakfast staples, but they’re not disappearing either
Is breakfast still a meal? How consumer behavior is reshaping the category
Mintel research shows breakfast evolving from a product category into a flexible, behavior-driven eating occasion
Permissible indulgence powers better‑for‑you boom
Explore the new supertrend that’s reshaping snacking
Fiber sells – when shoppers can find it
Americans want more fiber but don’t know where to find it – opening the door for clearer claims, education and better-tasting products, according to a survey by the International Food Information Council
Food companies further limit advertising to children across digital media
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
Is the protein snack boom running out of steam?
Flattening consumer interest and growing format fatigue suggest the category may be hitting a ceiling unless brands evolve beyond bars and bold claims
Why GLP-1s have turned fiber-maxxing into a snacking strategy
As GLP-1 drugs suppress hunger and compress eating occasions, fiber is emerging as a way to make smaller snacks feel functional, tolerable and worth the calories
Why the Super Bowl still delivers what TikTok can’t for food brand power
In a marketing culture obsessed with speed and efficiency, Southern Connecticut State University associate professor Amit Singh argues the Super Bowl exposes an uncomfortable truth about how real brand power is actually built
What does Hain Celestial’s sale of its North American snack business signal for the category?
After years of acquisitions and declining sales, the health-focused food company is narrowing its portfolio and using the proceeds to shore up its balance sheet
Game on: Flipz, Velveeta and SuperPretzel gear up for the Super Bowl
Super Bowl week snack sales reached $742m last year, and snack makers are leaning into shareable formats, bold flavors and activations again as the Big Game approaches
News Bites
Top 5 stories reshaping grocery value in 2026
The grocery value equation is evolving beyond simple price tags